- Jul 27, 2004
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A big thanks to Stoof for stepping and doing the thread for the Chelsea game. Anyway we play Portsmouth minus their goalscoring machine that is Jermain Defoe, thankfully due to PL rules Defoe can't come back to haunt us this season.
The Official Site Team News:
There are no fresh injury worries ahead of our Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth at The Lane on Saturday.
Long-term absentees Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are the only First Team players unavailable for this game.
Skysports.com Preview:
Portsmouth head to play Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday without key striker Jermain Defoe.
A Premier League rule means that Defoe cannot play against his former club and the bombshell was dropped at Fratton Park on Thursday with the league "reminding" Pompey Defoe was not allowed to play against Spurs until next season.
Because of the time constraints on transfer deadline day, Defoe initially signed on loan before almost immediately completing a £7million deal.
Harry Redknapp had already drawn up his squad for the match with Defoe, after six goals in his first six matches, the first name on the list and has faced a last minute alteration with it looking likely that John Utaka will partner on-loan Milan Baros up front.
Portsmouth, however, will take positives that they head into the game well-placed in sixth spot in the Premier League with a European place within their sights.
They have won their last three games but know that Tottenham will not be an easy team to overcome.
Absences
Redknapp is reluctant to start Kanu in the game ahead of Utaka as he is needed for the FA Cup semi-final in two weeks when Defoe will once again be ruled out through being cup-tied.
Redknapp is without the injured Sol Campbell (knee) and suspended midfielders Sulley Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop - Pedro Mendes and Richard Hughes are hoping for replacement roles along with Arnold Mvuemba and Sean Davis.
No worries
Tottenham's form has stumbled of late as they have claimed just a point from their last two games following the thrilling 4-4 draw with Chelsea in midweek.
Spurs will have breathed a sigh of relief that they will not have to face former striker Defoe this weekend following his recent form.
Head coach Juande Ramos has no fresh injury worries in his squad.
Skipper Ledley King could be rested as he comes back gradually from knee surgery but he has recovered from his recent calf problem.
Left-backs Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) are out for the season.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Hutton, Chimbonda, King, Woodgate, Malbranque, Jenas, Zokora, Lennon, Keane, Berbatov, Cerny, Tainio, Dawson, Huddlestone, Bent, Lee, Kaboul, Gilberto, Boateng, Taarabt, O'Hara, Gunter.
Squad (from): James, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Distin, Lauren, Diarra, Mendes, Hughes, Kranjcar, Davis, Mvuemba, Baros, Utaka, Kanu, Aubey, Nugent, Ashdown.
Interesting Stats:
Spurs
Won eight and lost six of 19 under Juande Ramos.
Scored a league high 43 goals from open play.
No club has conceded more goals in stoppage time (seven).
Taken the lead in 17 games, and gone on to win nine of them.
Lost the advantage 10 times this season, and dropped 24 points from games in which they held the lead (drawn six, lost four).
The current tally of 36 points after 30 games is their lowest relative points return in a decade.
Portsmouth
Won six of seven (all competitions).
Picked up 12 points out of 15.
Eight points ahead of the club record pace set in this league 12 months ago, which resulted in a ninth placed finish.
Completed five goalless draws; only Liverpool match that.
The only club holding a 100% record when scoring first; won 12 of 12.
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Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 12:45 GMT - check [thread=28976]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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(as does my girlfriend :lol
